CSU, Chico Will Hold 121st Commencement

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: 05-16-2011

Joe Wills
Public Affairs
530-898-4143

State Assemblyman Jim Nielsen, 2nd District, will speak at California State University, Chico’s 121st Commencement Saturday, May 21, and Sunday, May 22. In addition, several programs and groups will hold receptions and special ceremonies, including a ceremony for master’s graduates on Friday, May 20.

Approximately 1,200 students are expected to receive bachelor’s degrees on Saturday and approximately 1,600 students Sunday in the University Stadium. The ceremonies for the class of 2011 will start promptly at 9 a.m. and will take about two hours each and will be held rain or shine. Tickets are not required for admission.

Saturday’s commencement exercises will include graduates from the Colleges of Communication and Education (including Liberal Studies), Humanities and Fine Arts, and Natural Sciences. Sunday’s exercises will include graduates from the Colleges of Agriculture, Behavioral and Social Sciences, Business, and Engineering, Computer Science and Construction Management.

In addition to Assemblyman Nielsen, CSU, Chico President Paul Zingg will speak at both ceremonies. Spencer Breese Blair, a graduating senior from the College of Communication and Education, will speak on Saturday. Kaitlyn Whitney Percival, a graduating senior in the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences, will speak on Sunday.

Elected in 2008, Nielsen serves as the vice chair of the Assembly Budget Committee, and as a member of the Appropriations, Veterans Affairs, and Rules committees. He authored the original “Review of Master Plan for Higher Education” and, in 2010, served on the Joint Committee on the Master Plan for Higher Education, which worked at defining a vision for the future of higher education in California. The 2nd Assembly District includes Butte, Colusa, Glenn, Modoc, Shasta, Siskiyou, Sutter, Tehama and Yolo counties.